Topic Summaries

Wave types and characteristics

IGCSE > Geography > CIE > IGCSE Geography Topic Summaries > Coastal landscapes > Wave types and characteristics
Previous Module
Next Module

Weather hazards and atmospheric circulation

Tropical storm hazards

Responding to tropical storms

Hot desert ecosystems

Cold environment ecosystems

Glacial landscapes

Glacial landform processes

Water supply

  • Constructive waves: low energy, strong swash, weak backwash. These waves build up beaches by depositing sediment.
  • Destructive waves: high energy, weak swash, strong backwash. These waves erode the coastline by removing sediment. 
  • Wave height and length depend on wind strength, duration, and fetch (i.e. the distance the wind blows over water).

Unlock Wave types and characteristics

Subscribe to SnapRevise+ to get immediate access to the rest of this resource.

Premium accounts get immediate access to this resource.

Previous Module
Next Module